AIFF wins the 2016 AFC Developing Member Association Award

The All India Football Federation were crowned with the AFC Developing Member Association (Developing) Award for the Year 2016. Member Associations of Vietnam and Malaysia were the other nominees for the award. The award ceremony took place in the United Arab Emirates capital city of Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The award was given in recognition of its professional administration and governance as well its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game at all levels within the country.

The member associations are ranked based on their performance in certain areas, namely: organisation of courses and seminars, competitions, grassroots and youth development, women’s programmes, social responsibility and special projects. Points are also given for an Member Association's hosting of AFC qualifying and finals tournaments as well as their national and club teams’ placing in AFC and FIFA competitions throughout the year.

The AFC’s 46 Member Associations are divided into three categories namely ‘Inspiring’, ’Developing’ and ‘Aspiring’ based on their overall footballing prowess.

Also, AIFF president Praful Patel was also announced the Senior Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation(AFC).

Here is the complete list of winners from the AFC Annual Awards:

AFC Diamond of Asia Award: Issa HayatouAFC Dream Asia Award: Qatar Football AssociationAFC Inspiring Member Association of the Year: Japan Football AssociationAFC Developing Member Association of the Year: All India Football FederationAFC Aspiring Member Association of the Year: Bhutan Football FederationAFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Inspiring): Football Federation AustraliaAFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Developing): Philippines Football FederationAFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Aspiring): National Football Association of Brunei DarussalamAFC Coach of the Year (Men): Choi Kang-hee (KOR)AFC Coach of the Year (Women): Chan Yuen-ting (HKG)AFC Special Recognition Award: Makoto Teguramori (JPN)AFC Player of the Year (Men): Omar Abdulrahman (UAE)AFC Player of the Year (Women): Caitlin Foord (AUS)AFC Futsal Player of the Year: Aliasghar Hasanzadeh (IRN)AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men): Ritsu Doan (JPN)AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women): Fuka Nagano (JPN)AFC Asian International Player of the Year: Shinji Okazaki (JPN & Leicester City FC)The AFC Referees Special Award (Men): Alireza Faghani (IRN), Reza Sokhandan (IRN), Mohammad Reza Mansouri (IRN)The AFC Referees Special Award (Women): Kate Jacewicz (AUS), Renae Coghill (AUS), Uvena Fernandes (IND)

About
Debraj Banerjee

Hi, I am Debraj Banerjee from Adra, West Bengal. A keen follower of Indian football and always an optimist that the game will get the recognition it truely deserves. What we ask from you is your support and one day the dream might turn true. Fingers crossed for Indian football. Cheers!